fancy

The word “fancy” means british informal: to want or feel attracted to something or someone. In plain terms, depending on use: to like or want something (verb), elaborate/upscale (adjective), or a whim/passing desire (noun).

“Fancy” is pronounced FAN-see (/ˈfæn.si/ in IPA).

Here is “fancy” used in a sentence: “Do you fancy a coffee?”

Depending on how it is used, “fancy” can be a verb, an adjective and a noun.

The word “fancy” comes from Ancient Greek. A shortened form of "fantasy," which traces back through Old French and Latin to Ancient Greek phantasia, "imagination.".

“Fancy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Fancy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: british informal: to want or feel attracted to something or someone.

As a verb in British informal English, "fancy" means to want something or to feel attracted to someone, as in "Do you fancy a coffee?" or "She fancies him." As an adjective, "fancy" means elaborate, decorative, or of superior quality, as in a fancy restaurant. The two senses are unrelated in everyday use.

In its verb sense, meaning to want or to be attracted to someone, "fancy" is informal and chiefly British. The adjective meaning elaborate or high-quality is more neutral and used in both British and American English. Americans rarely use the verb sense and would say "want" or "like" instead.

British speakers use "fancy" to mean being romantically or physically attracted to someone, as in "I think he fancies you." It is casual and common in everyday speech. In a non-romantic sense, "fancy" can also mean simply wanting something, as in "I fancy a walk."